NAVLE Veterinary Anesthesia and Pain Management 2

Question 1

A dog under isoflurane anesthesia has an end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) reading of 62 mmHg. What does this finding indicate?

Accepted Answer

Hypoventilation with CO2 retention

Answer

Normal ETCO2 in anesthetized patients is 35–45 mmHg; a value of 62 mmHg indicates hypoventilation, meaning the patient is not eliminating CO2 adequately and intervention (e.g., manual or mechanical ventilation) is needed.

Question 2

Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is the inhalant anesthetic concentration that prevents gross movement in response to surgical stimulation in what percentage of patients?

Accepted Answer

50%

Answer

MAC is defined as the alveolar concentration of an inhalant anesthetic that prevents purposeful movement in response to a supramaximal noxious stimulus in 50% of patients, making it an ED50.

Question 3

Which of the following conditions or interventions would DECREASE MAC (reduce the anesthetic requirement) of an inhalant agent?

Accepted Answer

Opioid premedication

Answer

Opioid premedication provides MAC sparing by 20–40%, reducing the amount of inhalant required; hyperthermia, chronic alcohol use, and hyperthyroidism all increase MAC.

Question 4

Malignant hyperthermia is a rare, life-threatening complication of anesthesia. Which drug is the treatment of choice?

Accepted Answer

Dantrolene

Answer

Dantrolene sodium blocks calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, directly treating the uncontrolled skeletal muscle hypermetabolism characteristic of malignant hyperthermia.

Question 5

During anesthesia, a dog develops frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) visible on ECG. What is the FIRST-LINE pharmacologic treatment?

Accepted Answer

Lidocaine IV bolus

Answer

Intravenous lidocaine is the first-line antiarrhythmic for ventricular arrhythmias (PVCs, ventricular tachycardia) in anesthetized dogs due to its rapid onset and favorable cardiac profile.

NAVLE - North American Veterinary Licensing Examination Practice Test

NAVLE - North American Veterinary Licensing Examination Practice Test

NAVLE Veterinary Anesthesia and Pain Management 2